Platy Assorted - 2.5cm

Species Profile

• Scientific Name: Xiphophorus maculatus
• Common Name: Platy Assorted
• Adult Size: Up to 2.5 inches (6.5 cm)
• Life Expectancy: 2–3 years (can live longer with excellent care)
• Habitat: Native to Central America – still and slow-moving waters like streams, canals, ponds, and marshes rich in vegetation.

Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons (bigger is better for groups)
• Ideal Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)
• pH Range: 7.0–8.2
• Water Hardness: 10–28 dGH (moderately hard to hard water)

• Temperament: Peaceful, social, and active
  Best kept in groups (males may chase females, so a ratio of 1 male to 2–3 females is ideal)

Diet & Nutrition

• Type: Omnivorous
• Diet: Eats flakes, pellets, vegetable matter (blanched spinach, peas), and live/frozen foods (brine shrimp, daphnia)

• Feed 1–2 times daily in small amounts

Breeding & Spawning

• Breeding Type: Livebearer
• Behavior: Males pursue females; females give birth to live fry
• Fry Care: Provide hiding places or use breeding boxes, as adults may eat fry

• Can birth 20–80 fry every 4–6 weeks

Appearance

• Color: Extremely variable — red, orange, yellow, blue, black, white, or combinations
• Body Shape: Rounded body with fan-shaped tail

• Sexual Dimorphism:

  • Males: Smaller, have a gonopodium (modified anal fin for reproduction)

  • Females: Larger, rounder belly, fan-shaped anal fin

Distinctive Features

• Livebearers: Give birth to free-swimming fry instead of laying eggs
• Hardy: Tolerates a range of conditions, ideal for beginners
• Highly variable colors: Result of selective breeding
• Peaceful nature: Makes them perfect for mixed-species tanks
• Fast breeders: Can reproduce frequently, so consider fry control or separating sexes